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New Season at the Richard Attenborough Centre Offers Huge Variety to Leicestershire Arts Lovers

A look forward to the coming season of events, workshops and concerts at the Richard Attenborough Centre

Release Date: 11 December 2006

Classical music, jazz, world music, theatre, Chinese Opera and – this year for the first time – the Leicester Comedy Festival are among the attractions in the spring season at The Richard Attenborough Centre at the University of Leicester.

With a full programme of performances, art exhibitions and workshops, the Centre will be offering Leicestershire lovers of the arts a chance to enjoy a wider than ever range of arts events in the first few months of 2007.

One of the best-known and best-loved string quartets, the Chilingirian Quartet, will be visiting the Centre at the end of January. They will give a glittering start to a programme of acclaimed musicians and some rising stars, notably the young, award-winning Nero String Quartet with a first performance of Ben Palmer’s String Quartet No. 1.

On stage in March, the London Shakespeare Workout presents “Black Atlas”, a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, while The UK Chinese Ensemble offers a rare chance to see well-known scenes from Beijing Opera in a spectacular evening of singing, movement, mime, acrobatics, traditional and modern music.

Jazz lovers can enjoy a recital by the acclaimed young jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock in March, and a whole series of performances in the informal atmosphere of the Café Piazza on the University’s main campus.

Leicester’s much-loved Comedy Festival comes to the Centre in February with Mat Fraser’s Sex Variety Cabaret (over 18s only please), Steve Day - the UK’s only deaf comedian - and Nasty Girls, who bring a uniquely Northern perspective to their take on life as disabled women.

There will be two concerts as part of Darbar’s “Indian Classical Vibes” series uncovering the secret heritage of south Asian music in March and April, and there is also the chance to join in an Asian Gamelan Orchestra at a workshop in February.

With regular Wednesday lunchtime concerts, the free Soundbites series of concerts each Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime, and a succession of stunning art exhibitions, The Richard Attenborough Centre has something for everyone this spring.

The Centre’s director, Louisa Milburn, said:

“We are thrilled with the great line-up we’ve got. We are building on the University’s long-established reputation for quality classical music with new ventures into comedy and drama, as well as more jazz, a vibrant art exhibition programme and workshops.”

With its 180-seater hall, extensive exhibition gallery and bright foyer space, The Richard Attenborough Centre is a special place for the arts, with access and inclusion at its heart and a friendly, creative environment where there is something for everyone. Opening at the Centre in January is a brand new café and licensed bar, providing event goers and passers-by with a great venue to meet and socialise.

The Richard Attenborough Centre’s new guide to what’s on in the arts from January to April is out now. To get your copy, please contact The Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA , Tel: 0116 252 2455, Minicom: 0116 223 1520, email: arts-centre@le.ac.uk